Molasses

Description

Molasses is a thick, sticky syrup with an intense, dark brown to almost black color, featuring a complex sweet-bitter-caramel flavor with notes of toffee and a subtle smokiness; it is available in light, dark, and the most concentrated blackstrap versions. From a nutritional standpoint, it is a calorie-dense sweetener rich in sugars, but it also contains minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium, and potassium, as well as small amounts of B vitamins and antioxidants, making it a more valuable alternative to refined sugar when used in moderation. In the kitchen, molasses is great for baking (gingerbread, breads), barbecue sauces, meat glazes, marinades, morning oatmeal, and smoothies as a deep, caramel sweetness. It should be stored in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dark place; refrigeration extends its shelf life and prevents crystallization, and any cloudiness or crystallization can be easily restored by heating and stirring.